Antimicrobial Finish of Polyester Microfiber Knitted Pile Fabrics with High Water Absorption

고흡수성 폴리에스테르 극세사 파일편성물의 항미생물가공

The microfiber knitted pile fabrics treated by antimicrobial finish (commercial tin and phenol compound) was studied. Two kinds of split-type nylon/polyester microfiber fabrics and one conventional filament fabric were treated with the solutions at various concentrations by pad-dry process. Antimicrobial activity, durability, and water-related transport properties of the finished fabrics were analyzed. Antimicrobial activity of the finished fabrics was evaluated by bacterial reduction (%). Excellent antimicrobial activity was obtained at very low concentration but the microfiber fabric pretreated with water-oil repellent agent showed antimicrobial activity at high concentration due to low % add-on. Microfiber fabrics finished at the specific concentration showed good durability to repeated laundering compared with the conventional filament fabric. No curing process at high temperature was necessary because a simple drying of the padded fabric at 50$^{\circ}C$ gave excellent durability to laundering. Also, durability to dry cleaning and bleaching, and stability to the heat of the finished microfiber fabrics were excellent. Intrinsic water-related properties of microfiber fabrics were little changed after antimicrobial finish. Therefore, the multifunctional microfiber fabrics with high water absorption and antimicrobial property were developed, which is good for hygienic end-use.